The city of ‘Santiago de los Caballeros de Goathemala’ was founded originally on the Panchoy Valley at the foothill of the Agua Volcano on 1524 A.C. the city was destroyed by a flooding some years later and re founded some miles to the north in 1542. The city flourished as capital of Central America but suffered severe earthquakes during the XVIII century. The Santa Mata quake occurred on the july 29th 1773 and it destroyed the city, which was abandoned and found again 30 miles to the east in ‘La Ermita’ Valley; since then La Antigua Guatemala (the old Guatemala) became a ghost town until recently when it was declared UNESCO heritage of mankind. The walking tour include the most important buildings and quarters of the former capital: the main square, the Captains’ Palace, Arsenal museum, the Cathedral, the Royal House of Money, the San Carlos University, the San Francisco convent, the Santa Clara convent, La Merced convent & city arch.
After the walking tour of the city, visit of the Jade museum and factory. After that, visit to a nearby town called ‘Ciudad Vieja’, the original city founded by the Spaniards on 1524. After that, the tour will continue either to a coffee or a macadamia plantation depending on the season.